Generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol

Abstract

According to a generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol, the solution is atomized into the first droplets including a predetermined small-sized range of droplets by the atomizer, and then using the droplet depositor, the larger droplets from the predetermined small-sized range of droplets are deposited in the first droplets, and wherein the second droplets are formed from the first droplets, and then a particulate screening and separating device is used to extract the third droplets smaller than the predetermined small-sized range of droplets within the second droplets, and the predetermined small-sized range of droplets can be obtained thereof. Therefore, a aerosol generator can function as a device characterized with the alternative distributions of a narrowly size-distributed aerosol with high concentration in mass, and the liquid or solid aerosol can be generated thereof. The Geometric Standard Deviation (GSD) of the droplet size distribution can be kept under 1.5 and the Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) is selective so that the user alters the concentration of the solvent from the solution before atomizing. Also, this generator can be continuously operated for 8 hours by the self-purification system. The relative GSD with respect to the MMAD, GSD and the Aerosol Generation Rate (AGR) can be maintained under 10% for 8 hours.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol, comprising: a reservoir for storing solution and a gas resource utilized by said generator for forming a predetermined small-sized range of droplets from said reservoir;   an atomizer connected to said reservoir, wherein said atomizer atomizes said solution by said generator and forms first droplets including said predetermined small-sized range of droplets;   a droplet depositor provided with an outlet and an inlet installed with said atomizer, wherein said droplet depositor deposits larger sized droplets from said predetermined small-sized range of droplets in said first droplets, and wherein second droplets are formed from said first droplets and passed out through said outlet of said droplet depositor; and   a particulate screening and separating means installed on said outlet of said droplet depositor, wherein said particulate screening and separating means is used to extract third droplets smaller than said predetermined small-sized range of droplets within said second droplets, and said predetermined small-sized range of droplets is obtained therefrom.   
     
     
       2. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 1, wherein a return pipe is installed between said atomizer and said droplet depositor. 
     
     
       3. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 1, wherein said gas resource is air. 
     
     
       4. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 1, wherein said particulate screening and separating means comprises: a cylindrical body provided with a first opening and a second opening, wherein said first opening is connected to said outlet of said droplet depositor for conducting said second droplets therein;   a jet nozzle mounted in said first opening of said cylindrical body for accelerating said second droplets and a nozzle orifice is provided thereon; and   a collecting pipe installed in said first opening of said cylindrical body and a collecting opening is provided thereon, wherein said collecting opening spaced with a presetting distance opposite to said nozzle orifice of said jet nozzle is used to collect said predetermined small-sized range of droplets, and said second opening of said cylindrical body is used to conduct said third droplets.   
     
     
       5. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 4, wherein said gas resource is conducted into said jet nozzle by pipes. 
     
     
       6. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 5, wherein said pipes have a gas flow control means installed therein. 
     
     
       7. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 6, wherein said gas flow control means comprises a floating flow meter and a needle valve. 
     
     
       8. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 7, wherein said third droplets are drawn by an air intake flow control device. 
     
     
       9. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 8, wherein said air intake flow control device comprises a microporous flow meter, a pressure differential, a filter, a needle valve and a vacuum pump. 
     
     
       10. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 1, wherein said droplet depositor is a diversion pipe. 
     
     
       11. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 10, wherein said diversion pipe comprises at least one bend therein. 
     
     
       12. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 11, wherein said diversion pipe generally is L-shaped. 
     
     
       13. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 12, wherein said L-shaped diversion pipe is arranged at approximately 7 degrees with respect to the horizontal line from the inlet to the bend thereof. 
     
     
       14. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 1, wherein said atomizer is a nebulizing nozzle that includes a low-pressure venturi effect by said gas resource and therefore said solution is drawn from said reservoir; and at the same time, said solution can be atomized into said first droplets with a broad range of particle radius by a centrifugal vortex motion. 
     
     
       15. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 14, wherein a pressure regulator is installed between said nebulizing nozzle and said gas resource, and also said pressure regulator is used to control the gas fed into said nebulizing nozzle. 
     
     
       16. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 11, wherein said atomizer is a nebulizing nozzle inducing a low-pressure venturi effect by said gas resource and therefore said solution is drawn from said reservoir; while at the same time said solution can be atomized into said first droplets with a broad range of particle radius by a centrifugal vortex motion. 
     
     
       17. The generator for producing a narrowly size-distributed aerosol according to claim 16, wherein an pressure regulator is installed between said nebulizing nozzle and said gas resource, and also said pressure regulator is used to control the gas fed into said nebulizing nozzle.